• OPEN •

[carmesi]

WHO: anyone and everyone in solvunn
WHAT: mingle for the summoned, particularly the new people
WHEN: a day or two after the new summoned arrive
WHERE: in aloy's homestead—crossing some wilderness but close to the primary settlement
WARNING: TBA

A. THE JOURNEY THERE

The invitation to Aloy’s homestead is made shortly after the newly Summoned find their bearings within the Primary Settlement. Aloy begrudgingly agrees to it, but seeing as how their group has grown within Solvunn—it probably is for the best to be a little more open to the presence of others. Much like with the treehouse by the lakes, it’s good to know of another place further away from the settlements where the Summoned might feel comfortable enough to traverse into.

That is not to say that the homestead is very friendly to strangers, though. Aloy has set up tripwires, disguised pitfalls, snare traps, and other devices in the surrounding area, creating thus a challenging attempt for anyone who wants to travel there by themselves. Additionally, a way to avoid most of that (read: not all; consider it a bonus for getting close to the homestead) is to go through the arboreal parkour course that has been set up. A network of catwalks, platforms, and balancing ropes to traverse the woods. Reaching Aloy’s truly is a test of guts and skill. 


(Alternatively, travel with Wanda or Himeka—the path clears up for them. For the ballsy, follow Nero and Rocket; surely they aren’t scheming anything…)

And, past all of that, the woods will open up to a tall, spiky fence, about eight feet tall, and the gate will lead towards the homestead proper.

B. HOME SWEET HOMESTEAD

The seasons are turning, and while Solvunn doesn’t suffer from incredibly cold winters, there is definitely a chill in the air. Storm clouds in the distance by the coast rupture with booming thunder, bringing down the temperature quite significantly. It makes the bonfire burning outside a welcome source of warmth. Despite the threat of rain, there’s a strong chance the skies will clear up, as the wind picks up.

Within, Aloy’s homestead boasts the woman’s survival and technical skills. Making the most of her resources, there are meats hanging to dry, chopped wood on the side of the house, and animal skins splayed out that will most likely need to be stored at some point. The inside of the homestead is a simple affair, but for someone who isn’t in the business of receiving guests, it’s decent enough.

For today, the space—inside and outside—has a few extra wooden chairs and tables, picnic style, and they’re decorated with an assortment of food: recently harvested apples from the orchard, berries, roasted mushrooms and acorns, and more complex dishes thanks to Himeka’s arduous work in the kitchen the day before. At one point, a giant stew will cook over the bonfire, with meats and veggies, with bowls to the side for anyone to take their fill. Additionally, there will be grilled fish, flat breads, baked cabbage with lentils and, for those with a sweet tooth, apple pie. Wanda will also be sharing sarmale, a pot of goulash, spinach and cheese pastry—gibanica, and a table of assortments to build their own burgers. Additionally, there will also be apple cake and mandelbrot cookies. All in all? No one’s going hungry at the homestead.

But, worry not, all that food needs to go down with something. Barrels of mead and ale will be available for all to drink. For those who don’t want anything alcoholic, there is apple (and other fruit) juice available.

Make merry and mingle, new faces and old faces alike.

And, of course, please take one of the pamphlets.

C. THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING

Lightning strikes, and almost immediately the boom of thunder brings an eerie quiet to the homestead and the forest past its fences. There’s the awkward laugh the tries to break the silence, shaking the jitters away. Some are quicker than others in mobilizing, perhaps feeling the pinprick of raindrops that others don’t, and start moving what they can salvage from the food and miscellaneous items into the cabin. Some may choose to spare themselves of the rain, pushing the way inside or hiding under the roof’s awning at either side of the cabin; others may be entirely unbothered by the rain, as heavy drops fall fast from the darkened skies.

More thunder rumbles in the distance, roiling ever closer from the mountains in Thorne’s southern border.

A few Summoned might notice it first, that it isn’t really the rumbling of thunder that shakes the muddled earth. The grunts of approaching beasts are mixed with the sound of hooves drumming up in rhythm of an uninvited approach. Birds fly away in flocks as the mammoth boars make their way through the forest, inadvertently towards the homestead.

They are due their mating season, and traveling to the wintry mountains of Thorne has been delayed by the appearance of the beasts in the rifts, the journey now a toll on the boars as the continuous lighting and thunder confuses, frightens, and angers them.

They ram into the fence at different points, and chaos would soon ensue, but thankfully all the Summoned have their powers back.

Right?

D. CLEARING UP

After a few boars were felled, the rest scrambled and escaped, continued their path northward. Killing some of them was inevitable, but nothing ought to be left to waste. The skies clear, the waning moon appears over a colorful sunset, and the rain stops. The fire is built again in earnest, and meat is, quite literally, back on the menu at the grilling station, as per Nero’s helpful suggestion. Some fences need a little mending, and a general amount of cleaning up within the homestead needs to be done, too.

As sunset gives way to nighttime, the sky—once marred in dark tones of gray—gives way to a beautiful night sky, with stars and constellations to be delighted by many. Wanda will be offering to dry the wet clothes of those still sticking around, and Himeka hands over warm cocoa or warm cider, something for everyone.

Now that things have quieted down, and with folk sitting around the fire or standing just by the edges of it, Rocket and Wanda inform everyone of the letter from the Nether that they received—something, perhaps, so they can get a general idea of what everyone thinks; about getting involved, about helping, about Solvunn’s interests in all this. It’s not meant to start an argument, debate, or a long conversation, but it’s something to have everyone think about — to know that they might be sent off somewhere else, soon, for a while, and brace for the trip.

Those who have been in Solvunn for a lot longer will be around, to ask questions or start a conversation about what has happened, what is currently happening, and theories for their futures, here.

Aloy didn’t mention anyone can stay to sleep, though, so best feel ready to head back at some point.

Comments

I MEAN SHE'S NOT WRONG

[aquaveiled]

[ Himeka blinks once. Twice. ]

...

[ Then nods. ]

That makes sense.

[ Was she expecting anything else? ]

Ours remove their eyeball and put it in manufactured bodies.

[durge]

So the draconic form exists independent from the non-draconic? How interesting.

( A beat, as she considers this. )

What happens to the dragon if one kills the dragon while they are inhabiting the manufactured body?

[aquaveiled]

[ Himeka nods, realizing that...it probably seems like the most roundabout way to do it. But she had never considered dragons using magic to take on another form completely was an option. Would Vrtra like to try that someday? He is rather fond of his Auri form, and who could blame him? Being an Au Ra is simply The Best.

Then again. ]

I...don't know. It hasn't really happened before. I would guess the body would cease to work?

[durge]

Hardly a good method of disguise, then.

( This is simply because Haelva understands that adventurers kill dragons, considering most of them would happily eat them at first glance in return. It's simply the way it is, though... apparently not for this woman. )

Regardless, I hope they are more like the dragons in your world than in mine, if we are set to save them.

[aquaveiled]

I suppose not.

[ She can't really argue against that, can she? Even if Vrtra tends to leave his dragon self back in a well-guarded room, it isn't as if the dragon himself is hidden beyond that. It isn't his personal appearance that's changing, only really shifting his consciousness.

Buuut that's quite a bit deeper than she normally likes to go on these sorts of things. He seems happy with the arrangement so who is she to judge? ]

Me too, though I wouldn't mind a challenge. All dragonkind can be befriended, I'm sure of it!

[durge]

( That's enough to make her lips twitch upwards in a small smile. This woman's boundless optimism reminds her of Karlach, if Karlach was far, far shorter and not red. )

Have you ever encountered one that couldn't?

( She's curious as to how far her optimism has gotten her in the past. )

[aquaveiled]

I've met a few that believed they couldn't.

[ Hraesvelgr eventually came around and several disbelieving wryms and wyverns around Zenith had likewise changed their tune. ]

But they come around when they realize that we have a common goal and can work better as a team.

[ With dragons? It goes pretty far. ]

[durge]

( Hm. Interesting. Haelva's brows furrow as she thinks about this before nodding. )

I can see why you took charge of this part of the meeting, then. ( She seems very confident about it, at the very least. ) Your realm sounds fascinating, if the dragons of it are any indication.

[aquaveiled]

[ There isn't much that Himeka feels she's truly fit to lead, to be honest, despite the reputation she's built up at home. But hearing this from a new friend (as are any Summoned that come to Solvunn, she feels) does shake her for just a moment. In a good way. She'd stepped up to it, for sure, but when it's something she does really care about and apply herself to, it means so much more.

The smile that follows is genuine and she gives a nod of thanks. ]

I like to think so. And there are so many other places to explore. Mayhaps you can visit someday when all this is over?

[ Yes, Haelva already has an invitation. ]